2012 NFL Combine: Why Andrew Luck Should Pass on Passing in Indianapolis

Every year at the National Football League scouting combine, hundreds of collegiate athletes showcase their talents for scouts and coaches, hoping to either bolster their draft stock or catch the eye of an NFL team in the hopes of fulfilling their pro-football dreams.

However, each year there are also a number of high-profile college athletes who either skip the combine altogether or decline to participate in workouts—due to injury, fear of injury or concern that a bad showing could hurt their position in April's NFL draft.

One of the players who should politely decline working out at this year's combine is the presumptive favorite to be the first overall selection in the 2012 draft, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck should absolutely attend the event, and given his calm demeanor and poise, there's little question that he'll excel in interviews with coaching staffs—while a Stanford education should propel Luck to a solid score on the enigmatic Wonderlic test.

Athletically, Luck has nothing to prove that he hasn't proven time and time again on the gridiron for the Cardinal, and it's not like scouts don't have miles of game tape to review against top-flight collegiate competition or the opportunity to see Luck throw at Stanford's pro day on March 22.

There is, however, the possibility—however slight—that Andrew Luck could injure himself working out or while participating in drills. While that risk is present every time Luck picks up a football, there's no use in taking it unnecessarily—especially with so much on the line over the next few months.

Yes, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin has been gaining some ground among draftniks as the possible first overall pick, and the Heisman Trophy winner has declared that he wants to be, but there's no indication yet that Griffin will throw at the combine, as he may actually have more to lose from a so-so day throwing the ball than Luck would.

Even if Griffin does decide to participate in every drill in an all-out assault on the first overall pick, then Luck should let him.

When you're an absolute mortal lock to be at the very least the second overall selection in the NFL draft, there's just valid reason to pointlessly press your...

Luck.